Unimin, an industrial mineral producer, is planning to sell the three-story building it has occupied in downtown New Canaan for 33 years, officials say.
The front of Unimin at 258 Elm St. in New Canaan, as seen from Elm Street. Credit: Michael Dinan
The company is starting to outgrow its office space at 258 Elm St. and officials are “exploring opportunities including the possibility of a new open floor plan,” according to North America Communications Manager Mariane Ceballo.
“The new campus we select will reflect our organizational ambitions in growth, promote an open company culture—as well as collaboration—and drive greater efficiencies in how we serve our customers,” Ceballo told NewCanaanite.com in an email, responding to an inquiry on the building’s status.
A very small ‘For Sale’ sign Unimin on Elm Street in New Canaan, as seen from the Lumberyard Lot. Credit: Michael Dinan
She added: “We anticipate selling the building to provide capital flexibility for our growing business.”
Unimin officials said the company cannot find what it’s looking for in New Canaan and therefore is moving out of town. The company employs between 100 and 110 people here, officials said.
Unimin is the world’s largest producer of low-iron nepheline syenite used in glass, ceramic, paint and plastics, and the largest producer of quartz proppants for oil and natural gas stimulation and recovery, according to the company’s website. It has 11 offices and more than 40 plants in the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to the site.
The company has owned the 1983-built, 27,968-square-foot office building at the corner opposite Karl Chevrolet since 1993, tax records show. It paid $2,862,000 for the building. The .66-acre lot and structure last were assessed at nearly $5.8 million.
The sale is being held by New York City-based Cushman & Wakefield. The selling price has not been disclosed.
A listing of the building describes it as “ideally located in the heart of downtown New Canaan, adjacent to the Metro-North Train Station (66-72 minute ride to Grand Central Terminal in New York City) and within walking distance of the Town Center’ s retailers, restaurants, grocery stores and service businesses.”
“The building, which has been owner-occupied for nearly 25 years, is comprised of an entry-level plaza and parking level with two stories of office above it and one level of parking beneath (110 total on-site spaces). 258 Elm Street’ s appeal is enhanced by a wood appointed entrance lobby within a striking three-story glass atrium, easily divisible floorplates that feature an excellent windowline and an abundance of natural light, a 400kW Kohler generator, and solar panels with a 44.44kW capacity (installed in 2014).”
[Editor’s Note: The headline of this article was updated from ’23 Years’ to ’33 Years’ to reflect how long the company has been in New Canaan—Unimin has owned its building since 1993.]
It will be interesting to see where they end up.